The event’s highlights include a best burger contest, a live performance by the University’s own Sound Fuzion band, a silent auction with items like a Basketball signed by Memphis Tigers Coach Josh Pastner and a Grizzlies Jersey autographed by two time NBA All-star Marc Gasol, a live auction featuring artwork created by University of Memphis students, a FedEx hub tour and flight simulator, a speed painting show, and more. Guests will also have a chance to win a certificate to attend a closed practice with Josh Pastner and the Tigers Basketball Team!

The students are planning the whole event and have the following social media accounts: @HopsIntoSpring on Twitter and Instagram, #HopsIntoSpring2015 to see the latest news, and find the event on Facebook.

Chris Browne, a Kemmons Wilson School student and the student chair for the event, said, “The experience of planning this event has been a memorable one for me and my classmates. Not only do we get a real world experience of planning an event, we also get the satisfaction of benefiting such a wonderful organization, the one that not only inspires us, but the entire world.”

Malorie Taff, a Kemmons Wilson student and a Décor Team member, said, “To me, this event is not only a grade or a line on my resume, but an opportunity to help the kids of St. Jude have a future and to raise awareness for the extensive research they accomplish at the hospital. It also helps me gain experience while I’m in school so when I graduate I have the knowledge necessary to be successful and to put me ahead of the competition.”

Memphis Made Brewing Co. is proud to announce a collaboration with the legendary local band Lucero on a limited release beer for the band’s upcoming Family Picnic, held April 18 outside of Minglewood Hall. That day is also the kick off for Memphis Beer Week.

Named “All Sewn Up” after the Lucero song on the band’s 2001 first full-length, self-titled album, the beer is an English Pale Ale designed for easy sipping at this outdoor event.

The Lucero Family Picnic is making its Memphis debut this year. The band proudly hails from Memphis, more specifically, Midtown.

“So, upon considering inviting our entire Lucero Family to our hometown of Memphis Tenn., Lucero decided to not only share our music but also share all things Memphis that we know and love,” John C. Stubblefield, bassist of Lucero, said. “So, in order to give the Family a true taste of Midtown Memphis, Lucero has partnered with Memphis Made Brewing (our favorite Midtown Brewery) to create a beer brewed from the delicious artesian well water of Memphis called Lucero’s All Sewn Up Ale. A nice light ale that will pair well with Central BBQ and a good ole Memphis spring block party. Come on down to Minglewood Hall on April 18th and get a taste of Lucero’s All Sewn Up Ale whilst listening to Lucero. After all, we are Memphis Made!!!”

Memphis Made head brewer and co-owner Drew Barton worked with the band to come up with the style.

“To say Drew and I are excited about working with Lucero on a beer is an understatement,” Andy Ashby, co-founder of Memphis Made, said. “We’ve been fans a long time, catching shows at a packed Young Avenue Deli years ago. Heck, I can still play half the songs I learned on guitar off the Tennessee album.”

The beer will debut at Madison Growler and Bottle Shop in the Cash Saver at 1620 Madison along with a limted edition Lucero Family Picnic growler the week before the picnic. A date will be finalized later.

“Getting to be a part of the Lucero Family Picnic is a big deal for us,” Taylor James, manager of the Madison Growler, said. “I was born and raised here in Memphis, so to get the opportunity to work with them is pretty surreal. And for our part to be a limited edition growler is like icing on the cake. Pairing what we do best and what they do best is pretty sweet.”

Of the 504 growlers, one will contain a golden ticket affixed to its cap. One lucky person will get tickets to the Lucero Family Picnic on April 18 at Minglewood Hall.

All Sewn Up will be also be served at the Family Picnic.

Minglewood Hall will be blocking off South Willett Street to make their parking lot bigger for the show.

The Lucero Family Picnic will have music by Lucero, the North Mississippi Allstars, Marcella & Her Lovers, Clay Otis, Robby Grant and DJ Colin Butler. The FBM BMX Group will also perform.

The Picnic will open doors at 2 p.m. with music performances starting at 4 p.m.

The FBM BMX crew will have ramps set up and start their routine at 3 p.m.

Memphis Made Brewing Co. is a production brewery located at 768 S. Cooper St. in Midtown’s historic Cooper-Young neighborhood. It currently self-distributes kegs and bottled beer to nearly 100 bars, restaurants, grocery stores and liquor stores throughout Shelby County. The public can visit the tap room, open every Friday from 4 to 9 p.m.